Army Basketball Falls to Manhattan on the Road

BRONX – Army West Point women’s basketball dropped the season opener on a 75-55 decision to Manhattan College on Saturday night inside of Draddy Gymnasium.

The Black Knights could not slow down the Jaspers’ first half offensive push, as they shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter and 47.4 percent in the second quarter to create a lead that Army could not overcome.

Trinity Hardy had a strong rookie debut pacing Army with 23 points on a 50 percent shooting clip going 8-of-16 from the floor. The guard also supplied two steals, three assists and five rebounds for the Black Knights. Kate Murray followed with 10 points, four rebounds and two steals. Murray finished the game 2-of-5 from beyond the arch. Sabria Hunter supplied seven points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Black Knights. Defensively, Army finished the game with 11 steals.

Manhattan came out from the gate hot jumping to a 10-5 lead early in the first quarter. Hardy cut through the Jaspers’ defense for a layup starting a 5-0 scoring run for the Black Knights. Manhattan went on to maintain a lead at the end of the first quarter, 20-13.

The Jaspers picked up where they left off in the first quarter leading 26-14. Hunter entered the game and helped Army ignite a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 26-20. Manhattan’s offensive took off finishing the half 18-of-37 (48.6%) from the floor to lead 42-25 over Army. The Black Knights finished the half shooting 30 percent (11-of-36) from the floor.

At the start of the third quarter, Hardy recorded five points in two possessions to get Army within eight at 49-41. Army worked to complete the comeback in the third quarter, but the Jaspers’ offense would not let up finishing with a 61-44 lead over Army. The Black Knights continued to battle in the fourth quarter, putting up 11 points while holding Manhattan to 14 but ultimately fell 75-55 to the Jaspers.

“Manhattan is an excellent basketball team and that is why they were preseason picked second in their conference. They defend in the half court, protect the paint, and they are patient on the offensive side of the ball. I thought our players responded with toughness in the beginning of the second half but we need to sustain that effort for 40 minutes as we prepare for Thursday,” said Head Coach Missy Traversi.